Police Scotland report that they are now treating the fire in the garage premises in Howgate Street in Dumfries as suspicious.
Detective Constable Andrew Little said “our enquiries into this fire at this stage indicate that this is now a criminal enquiry. Although a full joint fire investigation has yet to be conducted in order to identify the cause of the fire we are now carrying out a criminal enquiry. We still need the help of the public in this investigation and in particular we now want to trace a light green coloured Vauxhall Corsa car with the number Y 585 JFS on it. This car was stolen from the forecourt of the garage sometime between 1830 hours on Sunday 6 November 2016 and the time the fire was discovered at around 0350 hours on Monday 7 November 2016.
“We also want people who may have been past the garage on Sunday evening or early Monday morning to get in touch with us if they saw anything suspicious in the Howgate Street area of the town. This was a very large fire which has badly damaged not only the garage premises of V7 Automotive but also that of the adjacent property of Glass and Glazing. A full fire scene examination will take place when the buildings are deemed safe enough to enter. Anyone who can help with this enquiry can call us at Dumfries on 101, or if they want to remain anonymous, then through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
